The live wire Kiwi hooker has made dramatic strides since joining the Warriors. He started 1995 as understudy to Duane Mann and played so well he not only replaced Mann in the first grade side, but he also snared the Kiwi hooking spot. Injury and illness restricted Eru in 1996 but he recovered sufficiently to star in New Zealand’s test series win over PNG and Great Britain, displaying robust defence and his trademark speed and elusiveness from dummy half.